ROCKFORD — Even without its big guys in the paint, Lutheran has been unstoppable early on.

The Crusaders started the season without their three tallest players, but still capped off a 6-0 start by whipping up on Oregon 75-50 in Thursday night’s Big Northern Conference opener.

Lutheran had five players score in double figures as its depth shown through, and Oregon had only one as its inexperience was highlighted. After the Hawks kept it close throughout the first quarter, with Matthew Murray draining two of the team’s three 3-pointers early, the Crusaders hit another gear in the second.

“Tom (Kopelman) and Kendall (Lawson) were distributing it around well tonight, and when we’re all clicking, we can turn it on,” said guard Joe Kellen, who had five of his 11 points during an 18-0 second-quarter run. “We all know defense wins championships, and especially with those big guys out, we know we need to be good on the defensive end. We’re going to fight you on the defensive side.”

Center Ryan Dolan (6-foot-7) and forwards Nate Wieting (6-5) and Ben Buchanan (6-5) are expected to return from injuries soon, but they weren’t on the court again Thursday. It didn’t matter for the Crusaders as four players scored 12 points and Lutheran took control during that second-quarter surge.

During the run, the four leaders for Lutheran on this night paced the team: Nick Brigham led the way with seven points; Michael Rhein went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line; Kopelman buried a long 3-pointer; and Lawson had four of his seven assists.

They all finished with 12 points, and Lutheran made 12 of its 14 free throws to make sure it stayed out front. Jessie McKinley scored 12 points himself to lead Oregon (2-5), but the Crusaders led by 30-plus points three times in the third quarter before cruising home.